Altomonte town in Calabria (province of Cosenza ), is part of the club of , "The most beautiful towns in Italy" . Altomonte is located on a hill surrounded by beautiful trees. Pliny the Elder mentioned this place, which was then called Balbi, for the fine wine produced here. Later the city moved closer to the river, and the site of the ancient ruins of the Balbi were a Roman villa in I BC. The residents resisted the attacks of the Saracens and Altomonte survived the Norman period. Only under the rule of the Angevin dynasty Altomonte has become an important cultural center. In the XIV century the city received its present name - Altomonte - "high rise". At this time and until the XIX century the power was in the hands of the feudal families until they reached the French troops led by Giuseppe Bonaparte. Altomonte today is an important cultural and tourist center where the amphitheater, the Norman castle, houses a luxury hotel and a restaurant, a church and a cafe. In the center of the town is the Gothic Church of Santa Maria della Consolazione. The church was built in the XIV century. Its facade is decorated with a magnificent rose window with a diameter of 6 meters. The interior of the church is a rare example of Gothic architecture in Calabria. Here are collected works of art made of wood altars, tombs, carved doors created between the XIV and the XVIII centuries. In the church mausoleum are buried the members of the feudal family Sandzhineto. Adjacent to the church is the Dominican Monastery belonging to the XV century. In the convent in the XVI century lived a famous philosopher and the author of the utopian works of "Sun City" by Tommaso Campanella. A remarkable medieval courtyard was preserved. Also a museum is located in the monastery where you can see the work of Simone Martini, the pupils of Giotto, Nino Pisano, Antonello da Messina and others, a library and a picture gallery of modern art.

Maps of Altomonte

Others from The Best Places to Visit in Calabria, Italy

Details of Calabria
The coastal landscape alternates beaches and rocky shores. The poet Gabriele d'Annunzio called the seafront in the town of Reggio di Calabria, "the most beautiful kilometer in Italy". Underdeveloped industry and the lack of big cities for a long time, left the sea not polluted and Calabria is still considered a natural paradise. Reggio Calabria, situated on the shore of the strait between Italy and Sicily is the largest and the oldest city in Calabria, numbering 3,000 years of history . Here are the Botanical Gardens, the National Museum of Magna Grecia and the Aragonese Castle. Also on the shores of both the Tyrrhenian and Ionian seas there are a number of smaller but picturesque cities with beautiful attractions. In Tropez is the Santa Maria dell' Izola. Siderno is known for its comfortable hotels. Gerace attracts visitors for the Norman castle and its old cathedral. Skuillache is a beach resort and a place of archaeological sites. Style is home to the famous philosopher and the utopian Tommaso Campanella, the Norman castle and a Byzantine church. The main resorts in Calabria are Tropea, Soverato and Scalea.
Resorts in Italy: Calabria (Tyrrhenian Sea)
The ancient, harsh land with a rich history, Calabria in the 40-ies of the XX century was practically empty. Most of the residents had left their native land and went to seek their fortune in northern Italy, America, Canada and Australia. Italy's entry into the EU initiated the revival of Calabria. And today, this is a very popular tourist destination. Best time to visit is from June till September. Calabrian coast is washed by two seas: the Ionian and the Tyrrhenian. It has enough beaches for every taste: you can spend time in deserted hidden bays among rocks or hang out in crowded, well-equipped beaches, in the evening transformed into noisy discos. The beaches on the Tyrrhenian coast are sandy, rather long, surrounded by small cliffs. Ionian coast is solitary, small and rocky. Besides the usual beach activities and water sports, you can do "historical adventure" diving. Fans have the opportunity to examine the remains of 50 sunken ships off the coast, some of which relate to the IV century BC.
The Gioia Tauro
It is a 3-mile sandy beach with small patches of gravel. If you have sensitive feet, it is better to walk on the beach in flip-flops. There are several bars, restaurants and showers on the territory. Near the beach there are a few parking lots. This is a rare beach not closed by rocks, so there is always a refreshing sea breeze blowing. The Lipari Islands and the Cape of Capo Vaticano are visible from the shore of the island when the weather is fine . The water is very pure. The beach is not too crowded and very convenient for families.
Palmi
Just as the Gioia Tauro, the Palmi beach is sandy and full with pebbles, sometimes not very pleasant when barefeeted. The length of the beach is 1 km, the width 50 meters. In summer it is literally dammed up people. Free parking cars cannot contain all comers. Palmi is surrounded by cliffs and approached by coast mountains, overlapping access to the wind, so the hot season here is too hot.
Tropea
The beautiful sandy beach is included in the top 10 beaches in Italy of 2004. It has fine, soft sand. The length of the beach is of 500 meters, the width is of 30 meters. During the season it is difficult to park nearby.The coastal cliff overlooks the beach breeze from the sea.
The Capo Vaticano
This is a 500-meter-long beach covered with soft clean sand. Also, as Tropea, it is very crowded, not enough parking spaces. Here come a couple and single holidaymakers, hoping to meet new people. There are bars, restaurants, showers on the territory.
Scilla
The classic sandy beach stretches for kilometers along the aquamarine waters. Scilla is surrounded by cliffs, so here are extremely rare refreshing winds. To escape from the heat, the sea or a few local bars can only be a solution. On clear days you can see the coast of Sicily from here.
Reggio di Calabria
This is a new bulk beach sand which was brought to the Gioia Tauro. Rather narrow (25 meters), it stretches for kilometers and it is not too crowded. The beach is opened to the breeze in bars, restaurants, showers, there are places for free parking.
Soverato
The picturesque fishing village of Soverato is stretched by snow-white sandy beaches for a kilometer. Here there is are "civilized" areas with bars, restaurants, lounges and showers, as well as more secluded corners where you can admire the sunset in the sea with an "intimate" setting. Scenic views stretch along the beach promenade.
Plan to find housing?
If we calculate the average prices for hotels, Reggio Calabria preserves an ancient Italian city. This point is located in the southwest area of Calabria ( Reggio di Calabria ), at a distance of about 120 km from the town of Catanzaro . Reggio Calabria is one in the far west of the city in the region. This ancient city has a long and a rich history. Obviously, the most important tourist attraction it is the Museo Nazionale Della Magna Grecia. The Mediterranean Sea for tourists, of course, is a strong argument to choose the purpose of travel. The number of inhabitants is about 180,000 people. Reggio Calabria is an important port city. From the terminal Metromare you can get to other interesting places on the Mediterranean cities, it appears that the Reggio Calabria is one of the five most expensive cities in the region. Currently, the city can offer its customers a number of hotels and resorts. Famous areas of the city are : Ravagnese , Pentimele , Archi and Gallico . The reservation of the rooms is better done in advance.
Reggio Calabria Cheap hotels and accommodation in the district
To navigate, you can see other cities in the vicinity. Table of reference prices for accommodation in selected cities (average price per person per night).
Reggio Calabria and leisure opportunities
Are you looking for ancient monuments? Milazzo Castle belongs to the most interesting objects. Here you will be able to expand your knowledge of history.
Castello Ruffo Recreation and Relaxation
Spiaggia di Scilla refers to such places in the county that can make your vacation unforgettable. Enjoy water fun for your pleasure. And if you look at the map, nearby you will still find other places perfectly suited for swimming.
Spiaggia di Scilla Reggio Calabria - Transport
Removed from the City, the Airport Reggio Calabria (REG) at 4.3 km: the road will take you only a few minutes of steam. These constants are flying airlines, for example, from these points: International Airlines Reggio Calabria Airport.
What services do you provide here? If it happens that you get tired, take a break and will find for itself a cafe. A nice little holiday will not hurt for sure ! Park your car and you will get no problems. Services in the city and surrounding areas Reggio Calabria - rent, car rental, vehicle rental services Sure, it makes sense to rent a car, because everywhere in the district there are a number of places where you can go. And what's more, so you save time. Arrange in advance online a booking car. Very often it comes money is more profitable than a service purchased on the spot. Here you can see prices.
What is the best time to visit?
This place is situated in the temperate zone. The weather is usually very pleasant, with no large jumps in temperature.